RF 50mm 1.2 - Ticking sound when focusing in Servo mode?

[Bewaremycanon]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

 

[Jbeckly]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

Not normal at all, not sure how to help you though.

 

[Cristi CC]

Yes, it is normal.

It is the same for RF85mm f1.2.
This lens doesn't have the new linear focusing motors and because of that there is that noise.

 

[Jbeckly]

Is the noise enhanced in the video? The copy we have does not make noise, and if it does, its so quiet I have never noticed it.

 

[Tazz93]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

This is very much a normal noise when the lens is micro focusing. You get the whoosh sound to get you in the ball park and then the very light ticking as it fine tunes and tracks. Mine is not as audible as yours, but is very much present. Honestly, with any noise in the background its virtually inaudible (to everything but the onboard mic). However, this one trait makes it a bad choice for people who like to do video (along with the breathing, which doesn't bother me).

Run through any competent YouTuber's review (Chris Frost, Gordan Laing, Dustin Abbott or DPR's) and they will generally touch on the sounds it makes.

--
Mike Jackson - Wildlife Photography Enthusiast
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_flickr/

 

[Bewaremycanon]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

 

[KingKwannon]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

Here is the thing, if you want your camera to be more silent, us ONE SHOT AF, not Servo mode AF! This is key. Of course, if you're committed to servo mode all the time you can also play with your Servo AF settings. You can flower the sensitivity of the AF to changes in position. You have to realize that the AF systems in these cameras are extremely sensitive and will detect sub-millimeter movement and react to it non-stop when in servo mode.

Understand your gear before complaining!

 

[Bewaremycanon]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

Here is the thing, if you want your camera to be more silent, us ONE SHOT AF, not Servo mode AF! This is key. Of course, if you're committed to servo mode all the time you can also play with your Servo AF settings. You can flower the sensitivity of the AF to changes in position. You have to realize that the AF systems in these cameras are extremely sensitive and will detect sub-millimeter movement and react to it non-stop when in servo mode.

Understand your gear before complaining!

I'm not complaining, all I am asking is if this kind "noise/sound" is normal.

 

[Jbeckly]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

Here is the thing, if you want your camera to be more silent, us ONE SHOT AF, not Servo mode AF! This is key. Of course, if you're committed to servo mode all the time you can also play with your Servo AF settings. You can flower the sensitivity of the AF to changes in position. You have to realize that the AF systems in these cameras are extremely sensitive and will detect sub-millimeter movement and react to it non-stop when in servo mode.

Understand your gear before complaining!

Dude enjoy the gear. I checked mine and I just never noticed the noise before, though I think maybe not as loud, hard to say, I think your video might be enhancing the sound some. If not then so be it and maybe you get a quiter one when they come in. The R6 btw is a complete beast of a camera. Good luck.

 

[ZX11]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

This is very much a normal noise when the lens is micro focusing. You get the whoosh sound to get you in the ball park and then the very light ticking as it fine tunes and tracks. Mine is not as audible as yours, but is very much present. Honestly, with any noise in the background its virtually inaudible (to everything but the onboard mic). However, this one trait makes it a bad choice for people who like to do video (along with the breathing, which doesn't bother me).

Run through any competent YouTuber's review (Chris Frost, Gordan Laing, Dustin Abbott or DPR's) and they will generally touch on the sounds it makes.

The lens is fine. Using the onboard mic is a bad choice for video.

 

[ZX11]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

Here is the thing, if you want your camera to be more silent, us ONE SHOT AF, not Servo mode AF! This is key. Of course, if you're committed to servo mode all the time you can also play with your Servo AF settings. You can flower the sensitivity of the AF to changes in position. You have to realize that the AF systems in these cameras are extremely sensitive and will detect sub-millimeter movement and react to it non-stop when in servo mode.

Understand your gear before complaining!

I'm not complaining, all I am asking is if this kind "noise/sound" is normal.

That is cool. Worth it to ask if yours is abnormal considering the investment.

I was hoping you weren't really using the onboard mic for video projects. Anything is better than an in body microphone. Better off using two paper cups and a string between you and the subject,... than the on board microphone.

 

[Tazz93]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

This is very much a normal noise when the lens is micro focusing. You get the whoosh sound to get you in the ball park and then the very light ticking as it fine tunes and tracks. Mine is not as audible as yours, but is very much present. Honestly, with any noise in the background its virtually inaudible (to everything but the onboard mic). However, this one trait makes it a bad choice for people who like to do video (along with the breathing, which doesn't bother me).

Run through any competent YouTuber's review (Chris Frost, Gordan Laing, Dustin Abbott or DPR's) and they will generally touch on the sounds it makes.

The lens is fine. Using the onboard mic is a bad choice for video.

Yes, you are right. Most real video people will not use the onboard audio, but most people aren't real video people. Most people will pick up the camera and use it how it sits, the right way or not.

I do really like this lens and the 85 RF 1.2, but I'm not going to sweep this annoyance under the rug. I do see this trait, on both lenses, as a fault. Canon was first to set the tone for the new 1.2 primes and did so with optical excellence, but this aspect should have been addressed in a $2000+ lens. It wasn't a deal breaker for me, but I'm not going to plug my head in the sand and pretend its not a little annoying (not suggesting you did, as it literally may not bother you). The bar is very high for a lens of this price, and there is nothing wrong with voicing a complaint with and otherwise excellent product.

 

[ZX11]

Is it normal for the RF 50mm 1.2 to make this continious ticking noise when focussing in servo mode (canon R6)?

Video of the sound:

This is very much a normal noise when the lens is micro focusing. You get the whoosh sound to get you in the ball park and then the very light ticking as it fine tunes and tracks. Mine is not as audible as yours, but is very much present. Honestly, with any noise in the background its virtually inaudible (to everything but the onboard mic). However, this one trait makes it a bad choice for people who like to do video (along with the breathing, which doesn't bother me).

Run through any competent YouTuber's review (Chris Frost, Gordan Laing, Dustin Abbott or DPR's) and they will generally touch on the sounds it makes.

The lens is fine. Using the onboard mic is a bad choice for video.

Yes, you are right. Most real video people will not use the onboard audio, but most people aren't real video people. Most people will pick up the camera and use it how it sits, the right way or not.

I do really like this lens and the 85 RF 1.2, but I'm not going to sweep this annoyance under the rug. I do see this trait, on both lenses, as a fault. Canon was first to set the tone for the new 1.2 primes and did so with optical excellence, but this aspect should have been addressed in a $2000+ lens. It wasn't a deal breaker for me, but I'm not going to plug my head in the sand and pretend its not a little annoying (not suggesting you did, as it literally may not bother you). The bar is very high for a lens of this price, and there is nothing wrong with voicing a complaint with and otherwise excellent product.

That is cool. I think the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens for the rebels was very silent.

People who just pick up the camera and use it how it sits don't care much about the sound quality or noises, I figure. They don't in general anyway.

I think the Canon cameras were designed knowing vloggers just use a shotgun mic mounted to the hotshoe or a lapel mic. That will block out the lens noise. Well, vloggers will likely use a zoom or some other light weight lens.

I'll take the better AF motors and lens quality over "silent to an onboard mic" motors. The onboard mic is close to the lens and in an echo chamber. It can be silent but why when I want fast and accurate over such sound deadening. I use a Zoom H2 recorder and a lapel mic or just the Zoom.

I'll have to listen to mine as I have never heard it make noise. Though it surely does.







--
"Very funny, Scotty! Now beam me down my clothes."
"He's dead, Jim! You grab his tri-corder. I'll get his wallet."

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

This is correct - advanced as the RF 85/1.2 and RF 50/1.2 are, they still use Ring USM technology which dates from the late 1980s. Over 30 years on it is still superb for stills, but not well-suited to video.

STM is great for video but generally slower for stills; Nano USM is superb for both.

 

[ZX11]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

This is correct - advanced as the RF 85/1.2 and RF 50/1.2 are, they still use Ring USM technology which dates from the late 1980s. Over 30 years on it is still superb for stills, but not well-suited to video.

STM is great for video but generally slower for stills; Nano USM is superb for both.

Is the Nano USM silent to an onboard mic? A microphone mounted in plastic and close to the lens motor sounds like a tough nut to crack.

I figure the level of videographer who would be using a top end prime on his gear, for reasons besides status, would not be using the onboard microphone. Figure Canon knew this when selecting the AF system.

I think the OP was just using the sound as a check to be sure he had a good copy that wasn't having issues. Not really for video purposes.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

This is correct - advanced as the RF 85/1.2 and RF 50/1.2 are, they still use Ring USM technology which dates from the late 1980s. Over 30 years on it is still superb for stills, but not well-suited to video.

STM is great for video but generally slower for stills; Nano USM is superb for both.

Is the Nano USM silent to an onboard mic? A microphone mounted in plastic and close to the lens motor sounds like a tough nut to crack.

Well, I haven't actually tested it but maybe I should. I have an RF 100-500 which is Nano USM, as well as the RF 24-105 STM (which I think is probably lead screw STM), the RF 35/1.8 STM (which probably isn't), and various Ring USM EF lenses. Maybe I'll set something up in a quiet room, but no promises as to when...

I figure the level of videographer who would be using a top end prime on his gear, for reasons besides status, would not be using the onboard microphone. Figure Canon knew this when selecting the AF system.

A truly high-end videographer would also be using manual focus for most applications.

I think the OP was just using the sound as a check to be sure he had a good copy that wasn't having issues. Not really for video purposes.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevebalcombe/ or
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/stevebalcombe/popular-interesting/

 

[ZX11]

Thanks for all the answers!

I took it back to the store today, they also said it was normal but that one copy may be a little louder than the other, They ordered a new one to compare.

The ring USM motors are higher torque than the new nano USM, so they make teeny tiny noises which you're complaining about here.

This is correct - advanced as the RF 85/1.2 and RF 50/1.2 are, they still use Ring USM technology which dates from the late 1980s. Over 30 years on it is still superb for stills, but not well-suited to video.

STM is great for video but generally slower for stills; Nano USM is superb for both.

Is the Nano USM silent to an onboard mic? A microphone mounted in plastic and close to the lens motor sounds like a tough nut to crack.

Well, I haven't actually tested it but maybe I should. I have an RF 100-500 which is Nano USM, as well as the RF 24-105 STM (which I think is probably lead screw STM), the RF 35/1.8 STM (which probably isn't), and various Ring USM EF lenses. Maybe I'll set something up in a quiet room, but no promises as to when...

I figure the level of videographer who would be using a top end prime on his gear, for reasons besides status, would not be using the onboard microphone. Figure Canon knew this when selecting the AF system.

A truly high-end videographer would also be using manual focus for most applications.

I think the OP was just using the sound as a check to be sure he had a good copy that wasn't having issues. Not really for video purposes.

I tried listening to the original video file from the camera mic on this gif. I couldn't really tell because my foot steps were so loud. There may be a tick as my RF 35mm lens stops moving.




not manual focus.



--
"Very funny, Scotty! Now beam me down my clothes."
"He's dead, Jim! You grab his tri-corder. I'll get his wallet."

 

[Bewaremycanon]

UPDATE:

I just got back from the store with a new copy, wich is completely silent.
No ticking noise, no weird clunking sounds, just a normal breathing sound that all lenses have and no more.

They actually ordered a few copy's and this was the only one completely silent...

Maybe im a little oversensitive when it comes to these kind of noises but considering the price tag on this lens (Belgium: €2750) .. that's just not okay.

 

[Jbeckly]

UPDATE:

I just got back from the store with a new copy, wich is completely silent.
No ticking noise, no weird clunking sounds, just a normal breathing sound that all lenses have and no more.

They actually ordered a few copy's and this was the only one completely silent...

Maybe im a little oversensitive when it comes to these kind of noises but considering the price tag on this lens (Belgium: €2750) .. that's just not okay.

I believe it, like I said my copy I really had to focus and pay attention to even know it made a sound. Before your post I thought it was completely silent, my copy is near silent, it would be hard for me to capture the sound without amplifying it. Nothing close the video you posted, maybe 5% of that sound is what my copy makes. Good for you too for not just accepting it, I would not either.